“Do not let this fucking slip, lads,” an emotional Captain Steven Gerrard warned his Liverpool team just minutes after the final whistle blew.
He told them that the game with Manchester City FC was now over and done. It was to be forgotten and they were to all focus all their energy into preparing for the next game.
Referencing the upcoming Norwich City FC fixture Gerrard shouted, “We go again! Exactly the same!”
It seems Gerrard’s teammates took their skipper quite literally.
As with the game against the Sky Blues, the Reds hit the ground running against the Canaries. This game saw yet another early Raheem Sterling goal. A second goal followed minutes later courtesy of Luis Suarez.
And as with the City game, Liverpool started brilliantly only to fade in the second half. Norwich, a team staring relegation in the face, was not about to go quietly.
In the 52nd minute, Norwich’s Gary Cooper secured his first goal of the season and it was suddenly a 1-2 game.
Luckily for the Reds, Raheem Sterling was able to move things back into their favor in the 59th minute with a brace. The 1-3 scoreline flattered the Liverpool side, who to all observers were already running on fumes.
Then at the 76th minute, Robert Snodgrass made it a 2-3 game and once again Liverpool was feeling the pressure.
It was at about this time during the Man City game that the Reds pulled ahead with a crucial goal, making that game 3-2.
It was as if Gerrard’s words were ringing in the ears of his fellow Liverpool players.
“This doesn’t slip…we go again…”
.@LFC, who will play #UCL football next season, have moved five points clear of Chelsea: http://t.co/mxCVRtDxEr pic.twitter.com/SnjT21z59t
— Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) April 20, 2014
Against all odds, Liverpool held on for dear life for the remaining twenty minutes of the game. They went, almost exactly the same, and left with an identical scoreline to last week’s nail-biter of an effort.
The squad kept its promise to Gerrard for another week.
The win over Norwich City also meant this Liverpool team will once again feature in Champions League football. They are mathematically guaranteed to finish no lower than third place, which means they will avoid the already hectic Champions League playoffs that assures advancement.
All the images from #LFCs first half 2-0 lead against Norwich, by @Getintothis http://t.co/2JOiyvBmxY @empireofthekop pic.twitter.com/Nnl9M52aA6
— Liverpool Echo (@LivEchoLFC) April 20, 2014
What’s bizarre is that even though this was the ultimate dream at the beginning of the season, many fans are virtually numb to the massive improvement.
Many now have their eyes on title rival Chelsea FC who is set to arrive at Anfield in a week.
Norwich City is over and this result cannot slip. Next week, Liverpool go again.
Image via YouTube